San Francisco Public Library has joined forces with the Older Adults Department of City College of San Francisco to present Mental Aerobics, a weekly free mental exercise class for the brain beginning later this month.

The old saying “use it or lose it” applies as much to the brain as it does to any other muscle in the body. In this very social class, Hope Levy, a member of City College’s Older Adults Department since 2003, will lead attendees through fun, challenging and creative brain exercises designed to maintain and improve cognitive vitality and memory.

Levy will present ways of conquering everyday memory challenges, such as remembering names and “tip-of-the-tongue syndrome.” She will also discuss the latest news on mental fitness. She stresses this course is appropriate for first-timers as well as those who have previously attended a memory and mental fitness program.

Beginning Jan. 25 and running through May 24, classes will be held at the Main Library on Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (Note: no class will be held on Feb 15 or March 29.) All classes will be held in the Main Library’s Latino/Hispanic Community Meeting Room on the lower level. Library patrons can take one class, the entire series or pick and choose from among the classes. Simply show up and fill out a registration form at the class.

Levy has more than 20 years of teaching experience. She holds masters degrees in Gerontology and Special Education, both from San Francisco State University. Through her work, Levy promotes positive aging through her passion for lifelong learning.

The Older Adults Department of City College offers classes designed for adults 55 or older, though all are welcome to attend. For additional information about the Mental Aerobics class, contact Hope Levy at (415) 931-8679 or hopelevy@yahoo.com.

Mental Aerobics is part of SFPL’s Wise Up! program, a series of classes and events for learning and living well at any age.